The IOM - Institutes of Medicine report on the
quality of care entitled "To Err is Human" states that errors cause between
44,000 and 98,000 deaths every year in American hospitals.
A medical error happens when a doctor or other health care professional fails to
properly treat a patient and this improper treatment causes the patient to
suffer a new injury. A new injury is a requirement because you can't hold a
doctor or other healthcare professional responsible for the original medical
problem.
The incidents of medical errors means that each day between 121-268 people die
as a result of errors. This equals and exceeds the number killed in traffic
accidents per year (43,450) or those who die yearly from breast cancer (42,300).
In addition to this, medical errors can cause birth trauma, brain injury,
paralysis, amputation, disability and disfigurement.
Most injured victims or surviving family members never know that a medical error
caused their injury or death. Only 1 out of 8 instances of medical error
resulted in a claim being filed.
Some examples of medical mistakes are:
Failure to protect a patient from a fall or
other injury on hospital property.
Failure to administer medications properly.
Failure to manage a pregnancy or deliver a
baby in a safe manner.
Failure to properly treat a patient's medical
condition.
Misdiagnosis of a medical condition.
UPDATED INFORMATION
Since the reporting by the IOM (Institutes of Medicine), a more recent study has
been conducted by HealthGrades, a health-care-rating group. According to the
study and posted to HealthGrades web site "An average of 195,000 people in the
United States died due to potentially preventable, in-hospital medical errors in
each of years 2000, 2001 and 2002, according to a study of 35 million patient
records..."
"The HealthGrades Patient Safety in American Hospitals study is the first to
look at the mortality and economic impact of medical errors and injuries that
occurred during Medicare hospital admissions nationwide from 2000 to 2002."
"The HealthGrades study finds nearly double the number of deaths from medical
errors found by the 1999 IOM report "To Err is Human," with an associated cost
of more than $6 billion per year."
"The HealthGrades study shows that the IOM report may have underestimated the
number of deaths due to medical errors, and, moreover, that there is little
evidence that patient safety has improved in the last five years," said Dr.
Samantha Collier, HealthGardes' vice president of medical affairs. "The
equivalent of 390 jumbo jets full of people are dying each year due to likely
preventable, in-hospital medical errors, making this one of the leading killers
in the U.S."
Only an experienced lawyer who knows
Pennsylvania's intricate medical malpractice laws, the court system and
individual rights can effectively prove your physical and/or mental injury
under state laws. Munley, Munley & Cartwright's medical malpractice lawyers
will evaluate your case thoroughly and explore all potential sources of
recovery. We will help you decide your best course of action and we will
develop the best legal strategy for demonstrating your claim. Most cases
are brought before an arbitration panel prior to court. It is always
advisable to be represented by an attorney during arbitration.
We have offices conveniently located in Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Hamlin,
Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, PA. We have the benefit of the local
presence within and knowledge of the local legal communities where medical
malpractice matters are litigated. Our firm has built a reputation over 40 years
in the courts within within Lackawana, Monroe, Schuylkill, Wayne, Luzerne,
and Wyoming counties. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to
our clients.
If you or a loved one have been harmed by doctor error, misdiagnosis, or other
form of medical negligence, you may have a medical malpractice claim. You could
be eligible to receive compensation for the damages caused to your family. 'The
Family of Lawyers' at Munley, Munley & Cartwright are experienced, and
successful, medical malpractice litigators - we fight to protect the rights of
patients.
Contact us now for a free claim evaluation.
1-800-318-LAW1
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Representation in jurisdictions where our attorneys are not already licensed is
performed in conjunction with local
counsel / lawyers - at no additional legal fees to our clients - and with
permission of the court.
